Pond Dyes: Aesthetics & Growth Control

Concentrated
pond dyes can reduce plant and weed growth and enhance aestheticsThe use
of aquatic dyes or pond and lake water colorants is an interesting
concept that has some value for helping prevent algae and to reduce
the proliferation of certain unwanted aquatic plants and slime.

These products
work on many levels, and as we review the different products you can
buy we will discuss the positive and negative aspects of adding pond
dyes to your water, but the principal benefit of using a product like
AquaShade, BluZyme, Crystal Blue, Bio Black or many of the other brand
name mixtures is that you are blocking out the red-orange and blue-violet
spectrum from the sunlight.

This is natural radiant light in the spectrum that can contribute
to the growth of algae; also, by blocking the sunlight we can reduce
the sun rays that hit the bottom of the pond, as the water is more
opaque, thus we are reducing the warming effects of the sun compared
to a untreated pond.

Adding
dyes to the pond is also for esthetics and often that is the main
reason for golf course owners or public pond owners who use it to
decide to add the colorant.

It can hide the shallow plants and algae that may be growing and in
cases of wedding photos or public areas it can turn a muddy gray water
into a bright blue or reflective black surface that often looks much
better.

I often have clients who have small children or grandchildren who
want to use the blue mixes for their pond just because the kids don't
want to venture into the water when the color is gray and once the
BluZyme or AquaShade is added the little ones think the water looks
great!

Concentrated Lake Dyeis the professional strength, concentrated lake colorant
formulated to treat commercial ponds, farm ponds, small lakes and
other large water features.

This is the product we use for all our commercial clients as it offers
the best value. This PK lake dye helps filters out the sunlight spectrum
that can lead to algae and plant growth in ponds as well as creating
an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the water by offering a natural
bluish look. This Liquid Lake Dye can be mixed even more quickly and
evenly throughout the lake with the use of a fountain, aerator or
similar device but will mix naturally within a few hours in a lake
or large pond if no circulation system is available.

Concentrated
Dye benefits
Natural blue look | Filters sunlight | Will not stain fish, birds,
plants or pets once added to water | Non toxic | Compatible with most
herbicides and algaecides | Safe for fish, plants, pets and people

To ensure your pond/ lake maintains a clear blue look, the use of
beneficial pond bacteria is recommended in conjunction with dyes.

Application Rates
32 fluid ounces colors 1 surface acre of pond water between 4-8 ft.
deep. To ensure fast, even distribution, apply product at multiple
points in the pond. Reapply as needed. We recommend purchasing at
least four 32 ounce jugs for every acre of pond size simply because
we've seen so many clients decide they wanted to add more or less
after the first 32 ounces was added. A single application will typically
last from 3 to 8 weeks depending on the inflow and outflow of the
pond.

Typical
directions for use, warnings, dangers and advice
Always the follow the specific directions on the bottle, jar or jug.
Most of these products have no restrictions for use in Canada or the
United State of America but most manufacturers suggest not applying
into ponds or lakes where there is an outflow into other private or
public waters.

While most of these products, check with your local store when you
buy your pond dyes, are safe for fish and plants, pets and animals
they should never be used in an aquatic system that is used or connected
to one that is used for human or animal consumption.

Certain exceptions apply but be like my Sister used to say, be careful
what you put in the water, as come contaminate in the water are not
discovered to be harmful until years after.

Black
Veil® Extreme Dark Pond Dye For a Natural Deep Lake Appearance Item
# PR-OWD51 (4 x 1 quart supply) Each quart treats one acre up to 8
feet deep. Each quart Treats up to 1 million gallons for 120 days
depending on inflow and outflow of pond or lake.

Thbest thing about Pond Keeper® concentrated lake dyes and Black
Veil® concentrated pond dye is that the aquatic colorant is so
concentrated that you only need 1/4 the amount of other pond dyes.
One quart will treat 1 million gallons. The black dye is the most
natural looking dye as it most mimics the hues and tones of a natural
lake. Safe for birds, fish and humans this dye has no algeacides or
herbicides. Effect can last for up to four months. Non-toxic.Applying
these products in larger ponds can be as simple as gently pouring
the concentrated liquid direct from the one or five gallon jugs right
off the back of your boat. If you have a fountain or aerator try and
get close to it to allow the circulation of the diffuser mixing to
do the brunt of the work. Within 10 minutes you should see a distinct
mixing.

If you are applying
into a pond on a windy day it is a good idea to stand upwind and pour
the dye at the upwind side of the pond. This will allow the wind to
push the dye throughout the pond.

No matter how you apply it, when you put it into a large pond it can
take up to 2 hours to fully mix and longer if you don't have an aerator.
Be careful if you are applying the concentrated liquid near a fountain
as the fountain, if the dye gets too close to the propeller intake,
can throw very concentrated liquid into the air that could splash
into you and literally make you look like a spotted blue Smurf!

The use of any colorant should not be considered or seen as a cure-all
that will solve all of your pond problems, while it can greatly improve
the general quality of the water; as there will be less chance for
bottom sediments to be reached by sunlight thus inhibiting algae blooms,
it should be one of the tools along with natural bacteria and aeration
that make a difference in your pond. Keeping it healthy and clean,
and blue, is the goal and we want to help!

I've personally
been very careful when applying these products yet have always managed
to come home after the treatment to find my fingernails looked as
if I'd been soaking in melted blue M+M's! On one occasion I literally
spilt a half gallon into the boat where I was carefully pouring the
liquid near the aeration boil to assist in dispersion throughout the
water column and I had blue stained legs that made it look like I
had the Mother of all bruises!

Once the colorant has dispersed thoroughly it won't stain but in smaller
water gardens or whenever you are dumping it directly from the jug
just make sure you don't splash it or it can leave a stain. The stains
will eventually wear off but on some shorelines having blue or dark
black stains on the grass and rocks can be unsightly.

Just like many pond additives like bacteria the pond colorants are
available in dry pellet or block form. This format really reduces
the risk of stains but gloves are still recommended if you are handling
and applying.

Aquashade
Pond Dye
Aquashade Pond Dye 1 gal. This product cannot ship to CT, DC,
MA, ME, NJ, NY, VT due to state restrictions. AQUASHADE® is
a blend of blue and yellow dyes specifically designed to screen
or shade portions of the sunlight spectrum (red-orange and blue-violet)
required by underwater aquatic plant and algae growth. This
action effectively inhibits photosynthesis in young, bottom
growth and may prevent development altogether if applied early
enough in the season. AQUASHADE® is primarily effective at depths
of two feet or greater. Inhibition of Planktonic (suspended)
algae blooms has also been proven. Desirable, floating leaves
plants such as lilies are unaffected if they have already surfaced
and concentrated product does not contact leaves directly. AQUASHADE®
is the only 'colorant' product of its kind which is registered
by the U.S. EPA for aquatic plant growth control. AQUASHADE®
is effective at a low dosage concentration. One gallon treats
one acre of water with an average depth of four feet (approximately
equivalent to one ounce per 10,000 gallons). Aquashade
Pond Dye

Highest Overall Rated Pond Dyes
Over the years we have tested and evaluated the staying power and
effectiveness of many coloring products and have now chosen the one
that we confidently recommend based on our reviews of pond dyes and
colorants. Many retailers sell five gallon jugs or one gallon supplies
at the cheapest price but they are often watered down mixes or require
twice as much application to achieve the same results.

Even though our 1/4 gallon supply is often more expensive than a gallon
of another brand of colorant it depends on the concentration and effectiveness.
I have, when buying my flat screen TV, heard the expression: "You
get what you pay for" and with this product it is quite relevant!
This PondKeeper Lake and Pond Dye has been our highest rated product
consistently over the years and we trust it completely.

Black
Out Lake and Pond Colorant
Black Onyx Lake and Pond Colorant is an exciting new addition to Becker
Underwood’s aquatics product line. The specialized high-concentrate
colorant creates a natural, mirror-like appearance often associated
with black-colored water. The new colorant will not harm fish or aquatic
waterfowl, and imparts a mystic beauty to the look of lakes, ponds,
and other ornamental water features found on golf courses, in residential
communities, and municipal recreation parks. Available at Reinders
www.reinders.com

Aquashade
Aquatic Plant Growth Control Pond Dye - 1 Gallon
A lake dye registered by E.P.A. for control of aquatic plant growth.
Aquashade is a unique blend of blue and yellow dyes specifically designed
to screen or shade portions of the sunlight spectrum required by underwater
plant and algae growth. This shading inhibits photosynthesis in young,
bottom growth suppressing growth and development of nuisance conditions.
Aquashade can be used in place of, or as a companion to registered
aquatic herbicides and algaecides in managing aquatic nuisance growth.
For best results, apply before growing season starts, or when growth
is on the bottom. Application rate: 1 gallon per 4 acre feet of water.
Available at Aquatic Control www.aquaticcontrol.com

BluZyme
BlueZyme c Combines pond colorant with enzymes into one simple application
- saving you both time & money. Its appealing blue color is safe for
all aquatic activities & will not harm the environment. Colorant restricts
UV sunlight penetration and does not stain wildlife or fish, while
the enzymes digest organic nutrients and wastes and reduce noxious
odors. Two sizes available: one and five gallon containers. Available
at AquaMaster Fountains www.aquamasterfountains.com

Jet
Black
EZ Solupak Black Lake and Pond Dye in water soluble packets. Each
packet will effectively treat (1) one foot acre, or approxiamately
325 000 gallons of water. To determine the initial number of solupaks
to apply, multiply the surface acres of the body of water by 4. Once
the dye has been dispersed you can add more solupaks if necessary.
Why would you want black dye instead of the traditional blue dye?
- black dye gives the water a mirror like appearance Jet black EZ
solupaks is a proprietary blend of environmentally friendless, nontoxic,
water-soluble dye formulated to reduce sunlight penetration and impart
a natural black color when applied to ponds, lakes and other water
features. The packets are protected by a unique waterproof, foil-lined
packet to prevent accidental staining when you are handling the packets.
The black pond and lake dye is in water soluble packaging designed
to dissolve quickly. Available at RittenHouse www.rittenhouse.ca

Aquatic Blue
Lake and Pond Dye is an organic water dye for use in ponds, lakes,
decorative water features, golf course water hazards, and impounded
bodies of water with limited or no outflow. Aquatic Blue improves
the appearance of surface water by turning waters a bright blue or
blue-green color. Aquatic Blue may be poured directly into the water
at several locations to enhance dispersion. Treated water will not
harm fish, waterfowl, pets, or wildlife. Water may be used for irrigation
or fishing immediately. Apply Aquatic Blue at a rate of 0.25 gallon
per acre foot of water. Available at Aquatic Management www.aquaticmanagement.com

True
Blue Dry SoluPacks
True Blue Ez SoluPakTM Each 5.25 ounce True Blue Ez SoluPak will effectively
treat one (1) acre foot or approximately 325,000 gallons of water. Holding
onto the foil-lined outerpack, drop or throw True Blue Ez SoluPak(s) into
the body of water. Water temperature and degree of agitation will influence
dissolution and dispersion of True Blue Ez SoluPak(s). For best results,
apply early in the spring and throughout the season to maintain color intensity.
Do not apply this product to water intended for human consumption. Do not
use this product in streams, rivers or other bodies of water not under control
of the user. Do not use in water that has been or will be chlorinated. Available
at Fish Farm Supply www.fishfarmsupply.ca

This liquid concentrated dye is used in ponds and lakes. Apply in early Spring for the best benefits. Can be added at any time for an aesthetic fix for visually un-attractive ponds. Will mix quickly when applied around the pond perimiter or near a source of circulation ie;, pond aerator or pump. ..

This is a super-concentrated pond flocculant and water clarifier for ponds and lakes.Helps clear murky, turbid water by attracting suspended particles together, settling them to the bottom and works great when used with pond bacteria that will help consume organic sedimentaries that the clarifier..

Aquashade® is a concentrated aquatic dye that filters sunlight that will reduce the growth-potential of aquatic weeds and algae. It is one of the few dyes available that are EPA-registered for controlling aquatic plant growth. In addition, Aquashade colors water an attractive blue to enhance its ..

This is a super-concentrated pond dye professional formula from Outdoor Water Solutions. Each 32oz jug tints 1 surface area up to 4 feet deep.
A Super-Strength Pond Dye that is safe and can be carefully poured into the pond or around the edges and can be mixed quickly and evenly througho..

Bulk 6 x 32 oz of blue black or blue/black pond dye. This lake dye concentrate can be carefully poured into the pond or around the edges where it will be mixed quickly and evenly throughout the pond with the wind or water colum movement. Highly concentrated it is not recommended for use with foun..

Cygnet® Select Concentrated Pond Dye is a non-E.P.A registered product that is similar to Aquashade® and more economical due to its lack of registration. Customer feedback shows that the performance of Cygnet Select is quite similar to the effectiveness of Aquashade. Cygnet Select is a concentrat..

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